President Bola Tinubu’s horse named ‘Renewed Hope’ has won the ‘Hope Renewed 1st Year Anniversary Horse Racing Derby’ held in Kaduna.
The four-day epochal sport which ended on Saturday was put together by the Horse Racing Federation of Nigeria (HRFN).
New Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Tinubu’s winning horse emerged victorious in the ‘Division 1 Thorough Breed’, 10 furlongs or 2,000 metres race.
The horse won a Saloon car, a cup and N100,000 prize money.
Recalls that Tinubu’s horse maintained her African title of the fastest horse in Africa as it clinched first position in the June 2024 edition of the tournament in Bida, Niger State.
The second position under the division was clinched by a horse named ‘Sarauinya’ and it got N1million.
A horse christened ‘ Holiday Parade’ finished and went away with N700,000.
The fourth position under the division was won by a horse called ‘Nawal’and it got a prize money of N500,000.
In his remarks after the tournament, the Etsu Nupe who is also the Life Patron of the federation, disclosed that the Horse Racing Federation of Nigeria (HRFN) is planning a ‘Grade-One’ horse racing derby in Nigeria.
Abubakar said, “Such derbies attract participants from across the world.
“This is with the same level of prestige as the Royal Ascot, Preakness Stakes, Dubai World Cup, Saudi Cup and the Kentucky Derby.”
He said that the federation was founded in 2019 with the aim of creating a national platform to organise, host and regulate horse racing activities across the country.
According to the Etsu Nupe, the federation is dedicated to promoting national unity and prosperity by bringing from various regions through a shared passion for equestrian activities.
He said efforts would be intensified to strengthen the cultural norms and values of the people through sports in other to prevent the cultures and traditions from going to extinct.
The National Coordinator, Horse Racing Federation, Mustapha Abubakar-Bida Sarkin Dawakin Nupe’ expressed confidence that the federation would soon become a leading force in horse racing in Africa.
According to him, this will be released with significant financial investment, a bold strategy and a passion for the project.
The Sarkin Dawaki Nupe said that more measures were being taken to domesticate the competition in all parts of the country
“Nigeria is taking a led in the horse racing in the committee of nations in Africa, we are happy to be part of history and to have pushed to ensure that these has become a reality”,
“We have five countries participating, they are, Cameroon, Chat, Niger, Burkina Faso and Mali”, Abubakar-Bida said
The closing ceremony was graced by the Life Patron of the federation and the Etsu Nupe, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar.
The Emir of Gwandu, Alhaji Ilyasu Bashar was represented by the Sarkin Borgun Ka’oje while Alhaji Ahmed Tijani-Anaje, Ohinoyi of Ebiraland, graced the event, among others.
